Inquiry:
Where did Moses get water from a rock? Was it in the wilderness of sin in Rephidim (Exodus 17:1-7) or was it in the desert of Zin in Kadesh (Numbers 20:1-8; 27:14; Deuteronomy 32:51)? Is there a contradiction?
Response:
It seems the questioner has not considered the possibility that we are looking at two different occasions. That would be an obvious explanation as to why the locations (Rephidim and Kadesh) are different.
Almost immediately after coming out of Egypt, just after coming up for the Red Sea, the people complained against the Lord because they had no water. This is what is recorded in Exodus 17. On this occasion, God commanded Moses to strike the rock, and water came forth. Immediately after, Israel was in battle against Amelek (Exodus 17:8-11). A few months later, they moved on to Sinai (Exodus 19:1-2).
The occasion mentioned in Numbers 20 took place well after God had given them the law at Mount Sinai, for the tabernacle was already constructed (Numbers 20:6). Before, Moses was told to strike the rock; this time he was to speak to it. After receiving the water this time, there was no war with Amelek and no trip to Sinai, but messengers sent into Edom (Numbers 20:14) and a trip to Mount Hor (Numbers 20:22).
These are two distinct occasions, with distinct details for each. There is no contradiction.
Links: YouVersion | GROW magazine
Return to the article archive
